Cramming as many sweets, fattening treats, and various processed junk foods into your body as possible seems like a reasonable trade off for drugs and alcohol. In the first days, weeks, months and even years of recovery, many addicts find that without the substances they once relied upon, they need an extra lift. For many, that comes with food. After all, you’re no longer consuming dangerous amounts of alcohol or drugs, you’re just eating like an excited kid on Halloween. And perhaps it helps you with recovery.
Many addicts who come into recovery don’t even realize the toll that drug and/or alcohol abuse has taken on the body. While abstinence from drugs and alcohol comes first in recovery, there are still many stepping stones toward continuous recovery, and overall health. One of the greatest assets in recovery is an improved nutritional intake.
That’s why the best rehabilitation centers incorporate a nutrition plan into the process of recovering from substance use disorder. It’s important to stay healthy while recovering, as it can help you to feel more positive, capable, and strong.
How Can You Use Nutrition in Recovery?
In simple terms, proper nutrition will help you to feel better overall. It will help you to feel better physically, mentally and emotionally. When good nutrition improves the function of both the body and brain, it will be easier to recover. In fact, it’s said that when a comprehensive nutrition plan is incorporated into addiction recovery programs, recovering addicts are less likely to relapse.
A few simple steps can get you started onto a path of decent nutrition and improved health:
- Reduce caffeine intake. Caffeine can cause shakiness and inhibit digestion. It’s important to get rid of as many harmful substances as possible.
- Use vitamin and mineral supplements as prescribed by a nutritionist.
- Exercise. Physical activity can release endorphins and produce a sense of calmness.
- Eat meals with fiber, protein, complex carbohydrates, and vitamins B, A, and C.
